The Mediterranean Diet Prevents Brain Atrophy

STATES CHRONICLE – The Mediterranean diet may help you prevent brain atrophy which can cause dementia, stroke or Alzheimer’s. Experts argue that studies have shown the human brain changes as we age. As we age, the brain shrinks and many elderly persons experience some memory loss. Scientists stated that those who follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, keep their brains stimulated and avoid the use of tobacco are bound to have healthier brains compared to those who don’t follow this advice.

If you were always the one who took care of his or her diet and never forgot to exercise at least once a week, then you will probably be one of the persons with a healthy brain and a healthy heart even in your 60s. A new study proves how important is a healthy diet and how many benefits it may bring. The Mediterranean diet can have lasting effects on your brain.

Nutritionists recommend this diet which is very easy to follow. The new research was published on January 4th in the Neurology magazine. Researchers have examined the nutrition programs of approximately four hundred adults with ages between 73 and 76 years old in Scotland. The survey lasted for three years. During this whole period, scientists have looked at MRI scans of the subjects to examine their brain volume but also the thickness of the cortex.

They have revealed that people who followed a Mediterranean diet were almost unlikely to lose their brain volume as they aged compared to individuals who did not diet at all. Nevertheless, researchers still need more information which could prove that there exists an association between a particular effect on the brain and the Mediterranean diet.

Back in 2015, there was published another study in Neurology magazine which also claimed that there exists a correlation between the Mediterranean diet and the low risk of developing brain diseases. This particular nutrition program may help you have brain almost five years younger. Scientists have identified this aspect after analyzing the brains of about 674 people with an average age of 80.

These seniors were asked to fill out some surveys about what they ate in the past year. In the meantime, specialists also scanned their brains. Those who ate a Mediterranean-like diet had brains which were more abundant in white and gray matter.

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